TOPIC: Player ratings v Stevenage

Gillespie 6.5 - could've given away a goal in the second minute but solid after that
McQueen 5.5 - gave the ball away too much in the first half but improved in the second half
Atkinson 6 - solid but being right footed doesn't help
Raines 7.5 - excellent in the second half
Ellis 8.5 - absolute machine, top performance
Kennedy 6 - wasted out wide but much better second half
Hope 6 - much improved second half
Comley 6 - not his best game but solid
Joyce 5 - not at his best, could've been sent off for late tackle which the referee completely missed
Wyke 7 - very tidy game
Jabo 7 - looking sharper again, goal will help

Subs
Gillesphie 5.5 - brought some balance but couldn't stop crosses from their right
Gillead 7 - looked much more balanced with him playing, even out in a few tackles
Asamoah 6 - late sub

Original team selection was awful, two defensive midfielders in the centre, a right footed left back and Kennedy wasted out wide. To be fair to Curle he changed it in the second half and it was much better.

Raynes
Gillesphey
Gilliead

First 45 mins was dire. Two effective changes at half time so credit to Curle for that and we had a bright spell for 20 mins immediately after half time. We got deeper and deeper as the game went on and so put ourselves more and more at risk. As they pushed forward we had several good chances on the break to wrap the game up but the player on the ball chose the wrong option most times.

Gillespie 5 two moments of panic, each at the start of the half, one great save.
McQueen 5 needs to strengthen up a bit, useful going forward
Atkinson 5 all at sea because he can't use his left foot, gets closed down or caught and often has to resort to lumping the ball crossfield with his right foot to get out of trouble. Not his fault as he is being played out of position
Raynes 8 leads from the front
Ellis 7 not far behind Raynes
Kennedy 5 as mentioned already wasted out wide and although better in 2nd half didn't get into it as much as usual
Hope 6 prepared to have a go and often lacked support
Comley 5 worked hard, one particularly good run. Will get better with experience
Joyce 4 two dreadful free kicks, poor passing
Wyke 7 thought he worked hard defensively as well as up front
Jabo 7 mediocre first half, much better in the 2nd

Subs
Gillesphey did a bit better than of late which will help his confidence
Gilliead a breath of fresh air but why do we have to resort to short corners when his corners are probably as good as anyone else's
Asamoah good choice as late sub in that he can hold the ball and was lively - however never going to pass when he is anywhere near goal

All in all a fortunate 3 points. With the lack of a LB I think I'd rather see 5 at the back with Atkinson in a central 3 and Gilliead at left wing back.

Gillespie 7

McQueen 7
Ellis 8
Raynes 7
Atkinson 6 (not a left back)

Kennedy 5
Joyce 4 (shite but at least he didn't hide like Comley and Kennedy did in the first half)
Comley 5
Hope 8

Wyke 6
Ibehre 7

Gillesphie 6
Gilliead 7

Gillespie 6 - the gift in the 2nd minute dragged his score down
McQueen 6 - always scared to take his man on
Atkinson 4
Raynes 5
Ellis 7 MOM
Kennedy 6 (second half got him that high 6)
Hope 7
Comley 4
Joyce 3.5
Wyke 7
Jabo 5
Gillesphey 4 I'm convinced he thinks he's a statue
Gilliead 6
Asamoah 6

Gillespie 7 - 2 excellent saves to get us the points, less said about early pass the better
McQueen 4 first half 6 second half - awful first half not sure how he avoided half time cull but improved after break
Ellis 7 - Solid, dependable
Raynes 7 - See above
Atkinson 5 - could easily have stayed on instead of McQueen, not a left back though
Comley 6 - improved after break, not one tackle though!
Joyce 5 - woeful 2 of the worst free kicks I've ever seen
Kennedy 6 - not a right midfielder, much better 2nd half when moved into normal position
Hope 7 - flatters to deceive but came close a couple of times in second half
Wyke 6 - got no service all afternoon but kept working til the end
Ibehre 7 - ineffective until he started getting some service to his feet, took his only chance well thankfully

Gilliead 7 - only one who looks able to go past a man, finally had someone who could turn the Stevenage defence
Gillesphey 6 - finally some balance on the left, not strong defensively though, still learning his trade
Asamoah 5 - not on long enough, cocked up a couple of chances on the break late on.

Curle first half 0 - no idea what they were working on this week, but a style of play and tactics to win this pm were obviously not on the agenda. If Abbott had served up that selection and tactics we would be calling for his head, woeful.
Curle 2nd half 6 - at least he recognised he'd f****d up and changed it, we need pace and guile in the side sharpish, one paced and bereft of ideas though, Gilliead must start all home games in the future

Gillespie -6 great save near the end.

McQueen -6 did well second half.
Raynes 6 - solid as usual.
Ellis 7 - just a bit better than Raynes.
Atkinson 5- good player but shouldn't be played at LB.

Kennedy 6 - better second when used in his best position
Comley 6 - better second half.
Joyce 5 - poor
Hope 7 - gets some stick but I like him he's always a threat.

Jabo 7- best I've seen him play, good game.
Wyke 7 - decent as always.

Gillesphey 6 - made the team shape better, always look a bit scared though.
Gilliead 7 - did well, ran at them and looked very interested.
Deggsy 5 - not on long but did well.

Have to feel for atkinson, looked good the other week when Raynes went off and he moved to CB. Guy just has no clue on the left.
Joyce was awful and rightly subbed.
The rest were no better 1st half, much better 2nd half. 3 points and at the end of the day thats all that matters

Gillespie-7 Great save first half but that came from his awful clearance.Solid apart from that.
McQueen-5 Poor today.Distribution was awful in the first half,backs out of too many tackles.
Raynes-7 Solid.Looked a threat from corners and long throws too.
Ellis-7 Solid alongside Raynes.Best defender we've had for a while.
Atkinson-5 Not a left back.
Kennedy-6 Lost on the right first half.Improved in the second in the middle.
Comley-6 Tries to get stuck in,decent on the ball.
Joyce-4.Awful display.
Hope-7 Always wanted the ball,willing to commit defenders and run at them.
Ibehre-7 Looked sharp.Brings others into it with his hold up play.
Wyke-6 Worked hard with little reward.

Subs
Giliead-7 Gave us width on the right,couple of good runs.
Gillesphey-5 Not sure he is upto the challenge physically.Looks short on confidence.
Asamoah-Not enough time to make a meaningful contribution.

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Gillespie 7 - Be amazed if someone doesn't come in for him soon
McQueen 6 - So so, run of games will help him
Atkinson 5 - Why play our best CB at LB? Wasted there!
Raynes 6 - Not bad, couple decent challenges.
Ellis 7 - Better of the 2 CB's for me.
Joyce 4 - Woeful. Worst set piece delivery around.
Comley 6 - I like this lad, better 2nd half than 1st.
Kennedy 6 - Wasted out wide, we know it doesn't work!
Hope 6 - Has pace, needs to use it better, tho don't think he's a natural on left?
Wyke 6 - Not bad, seemed to play left for a bit?
Ibhere 7 - Nice to see him notch, won a few headers.

Terrible decision to start with 2 DM at home to teams like Stevenage. Also wish we'd stop playing Atkinson out of position! The first half was turgid at best. Second half saw players in right positions and we scored, simple stuff this football! Thought we let Stevenage back into it after we scored, luckily their shooting was terrible. A let off but welcome 3pts after a poor recent run...

You sound ecstatic with the win Dan, out all night celebrating I take it.

Dire first half, improved second half. The introduction of Gilliead seemed to put a bit of life into the team. Jabos` second half showing looked to be getting near his earlier season form, Raynes and especially Ellis (my M.O.T.M.) were sound throughout, Wyke and Hope worked hard. Stevenage looked a better team than their league position might suggest and gave us problems throughout the 90 minutes, in the previous 2 or 3 seasons this is the sort of match we`d have lost handsomely which for me is an indication of how much of a tougher side, mentally and physically, we are. Not a great spectacle but a win however ugly. I`d settle for 10 more like it, although in what state my nerves / blood pressure / fingernails would be, I dread to think.

For me Kennedy is our best player - hate watching him played out of position.

Square pegs in round holes far too often at the moment.